8 new Maruti cars & SUVs coming you way

Maruti is India’s largest car maker by a big margin, and the automaker isn’t in any mood to let competitors get better of it. This explains the 8 new cars and SUVs Maruti will launch in the next couple of years. Competitors beware, the market leader isn’t leaving anything to chance. Here are details.

Ignis

When’s it coming? Festive season 2016

At what price? 4-6 lakhs

A micro SUV that will take on the Mahindra KUV100, the car will get 1.2 liter K-Series petrol and 1.3 liter Fiat Multijet turbo diesel engines. Manual gearboxes will be standard while a CVT automatic gearbox will be offered on the petrol powered engine as an option. A sub-4 meter vehicle, the Ignis is likely to replace the Ritz in India. While the concept version showcased a four wheel drive system, the production version sold in India will be front wheel driven. The tall, 180 mm ground clearance will be retained though.

Baleno RS

When’s it coming? Festive season 2016

At what price? 7-8 lakhs

Maruti’s first hatch ever will soon be launched in the form of the Baleno RS. The car will use a 1 liter-3 cylinder turbocharged petrol engine called the BoosterJet. This motor is expected to put out about 110 Bhp-170 Nm. A 5 speed manual gearbox will be standard. Considering that the Baleno weighs even lesser than the smaller Swift, expect the turbo petrol version to be super quick. Why, it may easily beat the Polo GT TSI and could challenge the Punto Abarth for the ‘fastest accelerating affordable hatchback’ title.

Vitara Brezza Turbo

When’s it coming? Early 2017

At what price? 7 lakhs+

Maruti doesn’t have a petrol option of the Vitara Brezza currently. All that could change in under a year as the 1 liter BoosterJet turbo petrol motor is expected to be shoehorned into the Brezza’s engine bay. Not only will this make the sub-4 meter, compact SUV more attractive to buyers but also will give the Ford Ecosport Ecoboost solid competition.

S-Cross Petrol

When’s it coming? Early 2017

At what price? 7 lakhs+

Like the Brezza, the S-Cross crossover doesn’t have a petrol engine option, and Maruti clearly is losing at least 500-1,000 customers each month due to this. The word on the street suggests an all-new 1.5 liter petrol engine option for the S-Cross in the coming months. Such an option will make the crossover a better rounded vehicle considering that the market is tilting towards petrol cars in a big way. The exact details about the new 1.5 liter petrol motor aren’t out yet. However, expect a 100 Bhp output at the minimum.

WagonR 7 Seater

When’s it coming? Early 2017

At what price? 7 lakhs+

The stretched version of the WagonR, which can seat 7, is coming to India. The car will take on the Datsun Go+. Considering that it has the WagonR badge on the bonnet, expect it to be a good seller, both among private car owners and cab operators. Petrol and CNG options are likely to be available. Rumours also suggest that the 1 liter K-Series petrol motor may be replaced with a 1.2 liter unit given the additional weight the new car will have to lug around.

All-new Swift

When’s it coming? Early 2018

At what price? 4.5-6.5 lakhs

Suzuki of Japan is working on an all new Swift, which will make its global debut next year. The car is expected to arrive into India next year, and will be built at Maruti’s new, Gujarat factory. The Swift will hop on to an all-new platform that will see extensive weight reduction. The new car’s expected to be nearly 100 kilos lighter, and this should translate into major performance and fuel efficiency gains. The new Swift will be built with driving enthusiasts in mind, which means that it’ll be a fun-to-drive car. The 1.2 liter K-Series petrol engine and a newly developed in-house turbo diesel engine are likely to be the power options for the new Swift.

All-new Dzire

When’s it coming? Mid 2018

At what price? 5-8 lakhs

The Dzire will follow the all-new Swift, and will use the same platform. The sub-4 meter compact sedan footprint is likely to be retained, along with the shared mechanicals with the Swift. The car is expected to get lighter, more fuel efficient and quicker. The best selling compact sedan in India, the all-new Dzire is expected to add a mild hybrid option, like the Ciaz and Ertiga.

All-new Ertiga

When’s it coming? Late 2018

At what price? 6-9 lakhs

The Ertiga will also shift to a new platform, just like the all-new Swift and Dzire. The MPV is expected to share its interiors with the above cars. In terms of engine options, an all-new turbo diesel engine developed by Suzuki is expected to be the big change while the petrol motor could remain the 1.4 liter K-Series unit or a new 1.5 liter petrol motor that’s being developed. The 7 seat layout will be standard.

Swift render courtesy AutoExpress